Interferance and the US.

[travler37]

If i spelled that right,,,
Now if you have a political statement to make please refrain.Just those that have talked first hand to those outside of the US and have had tea or what ever with the locals.

There story and do they see us as interfearing?

I have numerus ones but am curious as to others.
mY qUESTION
Mark

[smackdaddy]

Originally Posted by travler37

If i spelled that right,,,

Naa, you whacked it. But that's cool. Good to see you posting again, dude.

As for US interference - what the hell do I know? I'm about as apolitical as they come.

Merry Christmas Travler.

[danjarch]

First, yes, the people I know in France do think we try influence the world. But like most Americans, they miss most of the ways and times we influence the world, and instead focus on a few big events of which there is more infotainment on rather then information.

Second, the real irony is that France tries to be just as big a player as America. And just like the French, we're just as oblivious to the ways they are, instead focusing on a few big events. Case in point, Nissan lobbies for changes to Federal law. Nissan is owned by Renualt which is owed by the French government. France has also filed plenty of suits before the WTO. Yet the adverage American only thinks about the opposition to the Iraq war.

Third, the common Frenchmen has about as much knowledge about U.S. politics as the common American does about french politics, which is to say just a hair north of zero. Again, case in point, when I was there last January, we wound up talking about hurricane Katrina, they were not aware that NOLA had more then 50% poverty level before the hurricane. They were completely un-aware that every where else that was clobbered by hurricanes had responded localy long before FEMA got involved, and I still don't think they understand how the National Gaurd works or how a state govenor can send them in on they're authority alone. It's not something they comprehend. A Paris city police officer has about as much authority as a mall security gaurd in America. They're mayors, concilmen, and anybody bollow federal level has very little control. Wierd from my view point but the same in reverse I'd bet.

[travler37]

Thank you for your honesty without the political bull..
Mark

[travler37]

57 so far and only 1 that has a story to tell???
makes me wonder about what the PR IS SAYING.........And what the rest are repeating!!!
Mark

[kelly888]

I haven't been in the workforce for about 15 years so my knowledge is dated, but I can provide some input from back then. The Japanese saw us as empire builders that could not build or design anything as well as they could. They would take our designs and then redesign them for their market. The Taiwanese loved us and were more then helpful in providing assembly and suppliers, they loved the free trade and to deal with America. The same with the mainland Chinese. The Koreans were hard dealing business men with an inferior product. The business men loved America the younger generation hated us and our presence and still do. The Italians, well almost as bad as the French, no one can do anything as well as they can and they did not like the American people just the money. The same with the French. On the other hand the Germans loved Americans and were willing to work with us on just about anything. The Germans also had superior automation in their plants and great engineering and willing to share. The Indians, I could never read very well. It had something to do with them saying yes and shaking their head no at the same time. The only way I could teach the Indians how to assembly anything was to have them take it apart, writing each step down and then develop assembly instructions by reversing the order. The Canadians loved us but found us hard headed. I had dealings with all these countries and got to know the locals. I found on the most part the ordinary people enjoyed talking and learning about America, especially baseball. I had some dealings with the Russians one time and I must say they are fun people once you found out who was the party member in the group. They were proud people back then and really enjoyed the American night life. I am sure things have changed now. I am lucky enough, most of the time, to be married to a Korean and deal with the Korean community constantly. Very hard working people but stingy as hell and will do anything to avoid paying taxes. They are great at sponging off the government. Whoops, didn't mean to make that a political statement. Back in those days, the dollar was strong and the countries I dealt with would go out of their way to get a piece of the action. I can provide more specifics if you like but once again it's dated. Sorry
By the way I used spell check

[travler37]

Kelly,
Thank you for another honest almost not political answer...will allow you the opsy..as i hope all will allow my thing about not using spellcheak

thank you again
mark

[sck5]

I travel outside of the country a lot and it seems to be that many foreigners have an almost schizophrenic view of the US. First, most foreigners have no clue whatever about our internal politics. They have no idea or interest what motivates us to do what we do. They only hear about BIG stories like invasions and wars.

Invading Iraq has been very unpopular outside of the US. The Abu Ghraib story came and went here but is seen as a very big deal elsewhere. Many of them dont believe that our elections are any more fair than anyone elses and they often cite the 2000 election as evidence - From a third world point of view it is seen as no accident that the son of a former head of the CIA won a disputed election. Personally I think that has nothing to do with why Bush ended up in the WHite House after 2000 but others dont see it that way. They dont like us to preach about democratic values.

On the other hand, we are also the source of many good things and popular culture and are seen as a place where the streets are paved with gold. We are also usually the ones to stand up to bad guys and that is a good thing. The election of Obama has really put a cork into some of the cynical statements I used to hear about how racist we are and how intolerant of minorities in general. Whatever you think about Obama he is proof that even if we have racism, it isnt so big a problem that a black man cant get the top job.

Basically, it is sort of a love hate relationship - but one thing I find disturbing is that the older generations tend to be much more pro-American than the young people. Maybe the older folks remember us from the cold war when things were more black and white than they sometimes seem to be now. But it is not a good thing when it is fashionable among young people to be antiAmerican.

Most foreigners I have met from poor countries are very proud of where they live but would jump at a chance to come here. Most foreigners I have met from rich countries (Europe, Japan, etc.) are very proud of where they live and would like to visit the US but are very happy with their own country and dont want to move here. EVERYONE I have ever met abroad is just as patriotic as Americans are.

But at the end of the day everyone has their own opinion, dont they? I for one think we are all lucky as hell to be here. I often think many Americans have no idea how well off they are relative to most of the world.

[Sailormon6]

I haven't been outside the US for awhile, but have an opinion that has nothing to do with a partisan political slant, and that doesn't require that I chat with foreigners.

I don't think we should let world opinion prevent us from doing what we believe is necessary and appropriate. The fact that they disagree with us doesn't automatically mean that they are right and we are wrong. It might mean that they don't understand the problem, or that their national interests are divergent from ours, or that powerful political segments among their voters are pushing their government in a certain direction. It might be attributable to many factors other than the merits of the matter.

For example, some nations don't want to participate in the war in Afghanistan and the hunt for the international outlaw, Bin Laden, who has engineered terrorist acts here as well as in many countries. Does their reticence, or even opposition, mean that we and our allies shouldn't continue the hunt for him, and prevent the Taliban from providing him safe haven in Afghanistan? Some nations that oppose us might be influenced by the fact that they have many Bin Laden sympathizers among their citizenry, exerting political pressure. Some, quite simply, might not want to participate in such action unless and until their homeland is attacked by Bin Laden.

I think we should be concerned with whether our actions are required by our national interests (which covers a lot of issues), and we should try to persuade other nations of the propriety of our cause, and act according to our national interests.

During WWII, half the world was on our side, and the other half of the world was hostile toward us. Should we have been deterred in our actions because half the world cursed us in their bedtime prayers? Should we have counted the numbers who liked us and the numbers who hated us, and let that determine our actions?

[bubb2]

I have the feeling based on my travels, that the rest of world would like America to mind it's own business but keep the foreign aid coming.